Achieving the Dream is a nation wide initiative dedicated to increasing the success of community college students, particularly those groups that have faced significant barriers in higher education, including low income students, students of color and first generation students. Achieving the Dream is a multiyear initiative emphasizing the use of data to inform and drive evidence based decision making. The Achieving the Dream initiative asks colleges to focus on a student centered vision, build a culture of evidence and promote the twin goals of equity and excellence.

Currently there are more than 80 schools in 15 states participating in the Achieving the Dream initiative. Seattle Central Community College is a third-round institution, joining the initiative in 2006. The Achieving the Dream initiative at Seattle Central is currently in the second of four years of implementation. After receiving the initial investment grant, the College formed two teams, a Core Team and Data Team, which collected and reviewed institutional and student data. The teams then pinpointed areas of focus and developed a multi-year implementation proposal for fostering student success which was submitted and approved in May 2007.

Seattle Central’s Achieving the Dream implementation plan identifies the three following priorities:

• Increase the number of students who successfully complete developmental English and math classes and transition to college credit-bearing courses
• Increase the number of students re-enrolling from one academic term to the next
• Increase enrollment and successful completion of gatekeeper courses

Please look on our Initiatives and Events page for further information regarding Seattle Central’s Achieving the Dream pilot initiatives for increasing student success in these designated priority areas.

Achieving the Dream is funded by Lumina Foundation for Education and collaborating foundations including Education Assistance Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Houston Endowment Inc., Knowledge Works Foundation, and Nellie Mae Education Foundation. College Spark Washington is our local funder.

For more information about Achieving the Dream at Seattle Central Community College, please email achievingthedream@sccd.ctc.edu.